With a population of 2.6million people, Taipei, Taiwan’s capital is one of the finest and tourism-friendly cities in Asia, built with a mixture of colonial, traditional heritage and modern architecture. The city is known for its vibrant commercial activities, amazing nightlife and the famous Taipei 101 skyscraper which at a point was the tallest building in the world. For many tourists, Taipei is seen as a must-visit destination full of intriguing attractions. Every year, millions of people draw plans to visit the city and if you call within that category you are just at the right place as we take you through some of the finest attractions in Taipei and things to do in the city.
National Museum Palace
The National Palace Museum located in the Chiayi, Taiwan is the most famous museum in Taiwan with over 700,000 artefacts and artwork collection most of which are of imperial Chinese roots and as old as 8000 years dating back to the Neolithic age of China. The facility was first established in 1925 in Beijing, China but had to be moved to other towns and cities before finally being moved to Taipei in Taiwan in early 1960 due to the Chinese Civil War. This was done by the Chinese state to preserve the artefacts and collections of the museum as the frequent wars within China threatened to cause the destruction of the famous museum. It has since remained in Taiwan since it was moved there in 1965 and is today one of the most popular attractions in Taipei worth visiting
Taipei Zoo
The Taipei Zoo is the largest zoo in the whole of Asia covering a land size of 165 hectares. Yes, you read that right. While other more fancy zoos may exist in other parts of Asia, in terms of size, none comes close to the famed Taipei Zoo. The zoo is located in the Wenshan district in Taipei and originally began as a private zoological garden before being converted into a state property when the animal population increased and extensive care of the animals was needed. The zoo is known for its Panda exhibition. It however has other animals sections like the Penguin habitat, Reptile house, Insectarium and koala habitat. Taipei zoo was commission in 1914.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
The Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a multi-purpose national park in Taipei commissioned by the state to serve as a modern multi-purpose park capable of hosting events such as fanfares and picnics all year round. Within the park, there are several sections that can be toured for a wonderful experience, notable among these sections being the Art Boulevard. Originally, the park was first opened in 1916 as Taihoku Winery but was renamed as Huashan 1914 Creative Park in 2005 after undergoing some major renovations to ensure it keeps up with demands of the modern world and people.
Shi-men Ting
Shi-Men Ting is the ultimate shopping paradise not just in Taipei but in Taiwan as a whole. Located in the Wanhua District of Taipei, Shi-men Ting has been described as the hub of Taiwan culture and nightlife. The entire area is filled with some wonderful shopping malls, restaurants, retail and manufacturing centres. It is the one-stop-shop area where everything can be purchased and every food craved for can be found at any of the restaurants within the zone. As the busiest shopping district in Taipei, the area is visited by millions of tourists every year, making it one of the most popular destinations for tourist and even people on business visits or trips.
Taipei 101
The Taipei 101 is arguably the most iconic architectural building in Taiwan. Construction of the building began in 1999 and was completed in 2004, upon which it officially became the tallest building in the world until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. The outstanding skyscraper serves as a commercial building, housing the offices of companies. Aside being the tallest building in Taiwan and among the tallest in the world, Taipei 101 is also famous for having the fastest elevators ever seen in any storey building or skyscraper. According to official records, an elevator transportation from the 5th floor to the 89th floor takes not more than 40 seconds, making it the fastest ever seen anywhere on the planet. As would be expected with such an iconic building, the Taipei 101is a major tourism attraction in Taipei and receives more than a million tourists annually.
Chiang-Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Chiang-Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built and completed in 1980 as a memorial monument dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. Arguably one of the most historic and monumental landmarks in Taipei, the hall is used for public gatherings and corporate event. The architectural design of the building also makes it one of the finest and largest buildings in Taipei with several sections which are opened to the public and can be toured. Some of these sections which can be toured by visitors include the Guard in the main chamber, the lower level exhibition area, gardens surrounding the memorial hall and the gate of great piety.
Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan National Park is situated between Taipei and the New Taipei City. Unlike most parks which are found on flat, levelled or lowland areas, the Yangmingshan park is located in a very mountainous area and is a great location for hikers. The park is also famous for its sulfur deposits which came about as a result of previous volcanic eruptions which took place there. Venomous snakes are also common in the park, making it one of the most adventurous and daring parks to visit and test your bravery. Yangmingshan has land coverage of 113.3 km and was established in 1985.
Bangka Lungshan Temple
Bangka Lungshan Temple is a famous Chinese Buddhist temple in the Wanhua district of Taipei. The temple was built in 1738 in memory and honour Guanyin, the Buddhist Bodhisattva associated with Compassion. In the 19th and 20th century, the temple served as a major worshipping place for Chinese living Taipei and still continues to serve this purpose today although on a much smaller scale with people of other nationalities allowed to worship there. The temple also houses other smaller gods and Chinese deities such as Mazu and Guan Yi. For those curious about the religion of Buddhism and wanting to learn more about the religion, the Bangka Lungshan temple is a great place to visit when in Taipei as the temple is also opened to the public for visiting and touring.
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